MU Academic Senate

The Masaryk University Academic Senate (like analogous bodies at other public higher education institutions) constitutes an autonomous academic body as specified by Act No. 111/1998 Coll., on Higher Education Institutions. The election of senate members as well as the senate's rights and rules of procedure are further regulated by the Masaryk University Statutes and the Election Regulations and Rules of Procedure of the MU Academic Senate.

Members of the senate are elected to a term of three years with elections held separately for academic workers (employees) and students. Each faculty is currently represented by three employees and two students; the total number of senate members (i.e. 46) also includes representatives of additional units. Elections take place at individual faculties in regular intervals (or as needed in order to replace a resigning member), generally via the E-vote application integrated in the IS MU. The senate is headed by a chairperson and two vice-chairs: one academic employee and one student. The vice-chairs simultaneously function as chairpersons for the staff and student chambers.

The MU Academic Senate primarily performs the following tasks:

  • Resolves upon proposals for nominating the Rector of Masaryk University (generally elected to a term of four years and subsequently appointed by the President of the Czech Republic),
  • Approves internal university and faculty rules and regulations (including the closely monitored Study and MU Examination Regulations detailing the rights and responsibilities of students and teachers during the course of studies),
  • Approves the university budget, i.e. primarily supervises the distribution of financial means between individual MU component parts.

The senate communicates primarily in the form of statements which are the outcome of individual sessions and may concern both external matters (e.g. legislation relevant to higher education) and internal MU issues. Such statements are included in meeting minutes and available on the Academic Senate website.

All employees and students have a right to consult a senator regarding issues and requirements associated with academic life. Less complex cases are generally processed by the faculty academic senate; however, should the character or extent of a particular case exceed faculty level, it is passed on to the university senate, which may request the opinion of the Rector or other persons on particular matters and may also pass resolutions which are to some extent considered binding for university management. Suggestions and requests may be communicated to senate members either in person or electronically, e.g. using the IS MU Discussion Groups application.

MU Academic Senate sessions are open to members of the academic community – including students – as well as to the general public.

 
 
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